CVE-2004-0582 in Webmin
Summary
by MITRE
Unknown vulnerability in Webmin 1.140 allows remote attackers to bypass access control rules and gain read access to configuration information for a module.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/28/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-0582 represents a critical access control flaw within Webmin version 1.140 that fundamentally undermines the security posture of systems relying on this web-based administration interface. Webmin serves as a comprehensive web-based tool for system administration across unix and linux environments, making it a prime target for attackers seeking unauthorized access to sensitive system configurations. This particular vulnerability resides in the application's authorization mechanisms, where a flaw in the access control implementation allows remote adversaries to circumvent established security policies and obtain unauthorized read access to module configuration data.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper validation of user permissions and module access controls within the Webmin framework. When users attempt to access specific modules through the web interface, the application should verify that the authenticated user possesses appropriate privileges before granting access to configuration information. However, in version 1.140, this validation process contains a flaw that enables attackers to manipulate the access control checks and gain read access to configuration data for various modules. This represents a classic authorization bypass vulnerability that aligns with CWE-285, which specifically addresses improper authorization in software systems. The flaw likely manifests through predictable patterns in access control validation or through manipulation of request parameters that should normally be restricted.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with access to critical system configuration data that could be leveraged for further exploitation. Configuration information typically includes sensitive details such as user credentials, system parameters, network settings, and module-specific configurations that could reveal attack surface areas for subsequent compromise. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain comprehensive knowledge of the target system's configuration, potentially identifying other security weaknesses or misconfigurations that could be exploited for privilege escalation or lateral movement within the network. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1212, which involves exploitation of software vulnerabilities for unauthorized access to system information.
The implications of this vulnerability are particularly severe given Webmin's widespread adoption in enterprise and organizational environments where it serves as a central point for system administration tasks. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries can exploit this flaw without requiring physical access to the target system, making it an attractive target for automated scanning and exploitation campaigns. The fact that this vulnerability exists in version 1.140 indicates that it was likely present in a relatively recent release, suggesting that organizations using this version were exposed to potential compromise for an extended period. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability type represents a fundamental breakdown in the application's security model, where the access control mechanisms fail to properly enforce the principle of least privilege.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-0582 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Webmin installations to the latest stable version that contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access control measures to limit exposure of Webmin interfaces to trusted networks only, reducing the attack surface available to remote adversaries. Additionally, regular security assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar access control vulnerabilities in other web-based administrative interfaces and applications. The vulnerability highlights the importance of thorough access control validation in web applications and underscores the necessity of implementing proper input sanitization and privilege checking mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing additional monitoring and logging of access attempts to detect potential exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability could be used as a reconnaissance tool to gather intelligence for more sophisticated attacks.